Search Our Site

7 Influential Men in LA Discuss Their Unique Contributions to the City

Men who play it safe and rarely stray from their comfort zones, we wish you well. But the kind of men we pay tribute to on these pages frolic at the other end of that philosophical spectrum: They’re the adventurers, the disruptors, the movers, shakers and differencemakers. Through their ingenuity, humanity, appetite for life and will to achieve, these select men deserve special seats at the bar. The 7 men featured here have established themselves among Los Angeles’ absolute top-shelf finest through a wide array of endeavors and accomplishments. And that means their rarified air extends beyond the city limits, since the world looks at Angelenos as arbiters of food, art, design, entertainment and all creative deeds. These terrific 7 make the community grander and the world envious. Be justifiably awed.

The myth is that in Beverly Hills, like Starbucks, there is a plastic surgery clinic on every corner. But Dr. Gabriel Chiu’s practice stands out; he has the high-end global clientele and a long waiting list to prove it. Known as “The Curve Creator,” Dr. Chiu specializes in precision contouring and aesthetic wonderment, and is often called upon for complex and challenging restorative work. He wields a scalpel like Picasso wielded a brush, although Dr. Chiu’s work is much more naturalistic.

WHAT DO YOU FEEL IS THE MOST EXCITING DEVELOPMENT IN YOUR INDUSTRY RIGHT NOW:The progress and use of stem cells.

WHAT DOES L.A. MEAN TO YOU? It’s a city full of diversity and beauty – some apparent and others waiting to be discovered.

WHAT WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO BE REMEMBERED FOR? My honesty, skill and desire to help each person become a better version of themselves.

FAVORITE RESTAURANT IN L.A.: Yamakase.

YOUR LIFE IN THREE WORDS: Bless, beautiful, and purposeful.

KIA ILLULIAN CO-FOUNDER & PRESIDENT, H2rOse

Kia Illulian had the vision of bringing the benefits of rose water and saffron to the masses since he completed his senior college marketing thesis on the initial version of the product known today as H2r0se. Fast forward to 2015, when Illulian launched H2rOse with the mission of solving chronic dehydration and delivering a modern day version of an ancient Persian recipe that he and his family have been drinking since childhood. Today, he is focused on continuing to build the brand and expanding distribution nationally.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST PERSONAL OR PROFESSIONAL RISK YOU’VE TAKEN? The development of H2rOse has always been a childhood dream of mine. Growing up in a household that regularly consumed rose water drove me to take the plunge into the very risky and competitive world of beverages. The capital that was required to drive growth and sales could have easily been devoted into more stable type investments like real estate or existing businesses. However, what inspired me for this venture was not money, but my deep desire to share the unique benefits of rose water and saffron with western culture!

WHAT IMPRESSES YOU?I grew up believing that the greatest manifestation of power is restraint. I’m so blessed to be surrounded by successful men and women who enjoy the finer things in life but never go overboard in their opulence. To live life at your means is very rewarding to say the least.

SUM UP L.A. IN ONE SENTENCE:The City of Angels and Devils.

WHAT IS YOUR GUILTY PLEASURE?Enjoying a glass of single malt while watching Youtube videos.

FAVORITE HIDDEN SPOT IN L.A.:Jar Restaurant, I love their ribeye.

TOM GIRARDI FOUNDER, GIRARDI & KEESE

Tom Girardi is founding partner of Girardi & Keese, a downtown L.A. firm. His career has included countless awards, honors, and recognitions, including serving as the past president of both the exclusive International Academy of Trial Lawyers (limited to 500 in the country) and a member of the Inner Circle of Advocates (limited to 100 in the country). He is also a Hall of Famer, having been inducted into the State Bar of California Hall of Fame as well as the American Trial Lawyers Hall of Fame. If you need another point of reference, remember “Erin Brockovich”? He was the lawyer who won $333 million from Pacific Gas & Electric for affected citizens.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST PERSONAL OR PROFESSIONAL RISK YOU’VE TAKEN? As a very, very young lawyer, I walked away from the opportunity to be with an experienced law firm to start on my own.

WHO DO YOU ADMIRE THE MOST?Perhaps Abraham Lincoln. He had some bad cards, but won.

FAVORITE HIDDEN SPOT IN L.A. The backroom of Morton’s with 5 lawyers from the firm and a glass of burgundy.

WHAT’S ON YOUR BUCKET LIST?Not to empty the bucket which has been so good to me.

WHAT IMPRESSES YOU?Those who fight hard for principles – despite the cost.

BILLY ROSE FOUNDER, THE AGENCY

The reason that Billy Rose’s transition from motion picture agent to realtor was so seamless and successful is because he has taken some of the magic he acquired in the former and used it to turn the latter into an art form. With partners Mauricio Umansky and Blair Chang, Rose in 2011 started The Agency, a boutique, real estate brokerage firm representing buyers and sellers of luxury properties and architecturally distinctive homes. Now Rose’s operation has expanded from Beverly Hills to 14 locations around the country and overseas.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST PERSONAL OR PROFESSIONAL RISK YOU’VE TAKEN? Definitely the launching of The Agency. Starting a new brokerage at the height of my sales career in the depths of the recession was either sheer lunacy, a stroke of brilliance or dumb luck. In retrospect, it was probably all three!

WHAT IMPRESSES YOU? L.A. is referred to as LaLa Land for a reason. Many come here for fame and fortune and often seek to be (or come off as) someone they aren’t (yet). I’m most impressed by a person’s authenticity and presence. Be yourself and be in the here and now.

WHO DO YOU ADMIRE THE MOST? My dad. He instilled in me a thirst for knowledge; an appreciation for applying one’s self; and a passion for life.

FAVORITE RESTAURANT IN L.A.:Right now, it’s probably the new Gratitude on Canon in Beverly Hills. I’m there at least three times a week. I also love Capo and Cassia.

WHAT’S ON YOUR BUCKET LIST? Taking my kids on an African safari.

MAHMOUD SAMARAREGIONAL DIRECTOR, US WESTERN REGION, CADILLAC

Mahmoud Samara embodies the Cadillac motto, “Dare Greatly”. Since his start with the company in 2004, Samara has been a key component of Cadillac’s operations in the U.S., Canada, and the Middle East. Currently Samara, one of GM’s youngest ever executives, is overseeing a transformation of the 115-year old Cadillac brand. From technology to design to culture, he is among the key leaders reinventing the Cadillac experience.

WHAT IS YOUR PERSONAL MISSION STATEMENT?My personal mission statement is to inspire positive change and doing that by helping people achieve their life goals. My passion is surrounded around the area of contributing to people’s success and inspiring positive change.

HOW DO YOU DEFINE SUCCESS? Personally, I always look at success as a journey not a destination. You don’t just achieve success. You continuously chase success, you are true to your personal values and mission and you follow your passion, but it’s an ongoing journey.

HOW DO YOU VIEW RISK? I’ve built my life on a high-risk high reward mindset. Throughout my career, I’ve always dared to take a leap of faith and to go with the unknown and quite honestly, I’ve learned to find comfort in discomfort and enjoy it. It’s fun to push yourself out of your comfort zone because these experiences mold you into a better human being and a professional.

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE MOST REMEMBERED FOR?I would like to be associated and remembered as one of the key leaders in Cadillac that helped to reinvent a 115-year old brand. As much as it’s been challenging, it’s been an honor to be part of this mission, and it’s the type of mission you only get once in a lifetime.

TOMMY SF WANGFOUNDER, WANG IP LAW GROUP P.C.

If you could obtain a patent on people who obtain patents, you would probably want to start with Tommy Wang. At the age of 36, he has established himself over the last five years as one of the preeminent intellectual property attorneys in the business. He took his first client’s retainer check for $1,500 and turned it into a highly successful boutique operation that now has four offices in California and one in Taiwan. He works with anyone from multinational public companies to high net worth entrepreneurs to obtain patents, trademarks and copyrights. His patented (ahem) approach involves the astute recognition that this is a global economy, and innovation and entrepreneurship are assets to value and protect.

WHAT DO YOU FEEL IS THE MOST EXCITING DEVELOPMENT IN YOUR INDUSTRY RIGHT NOW? More companies are paying attention to the protection and the enforcement of their IP rights.

WHERE DO YOU FIND INSPIRATION?The success stories of my clients. Knowing that I contributed to the realization of their goals even in a small way is why I do what I do.

SUM UP L.A. IN ONE SENTENCE:Wonderful people and endless opportunity for those willing to hustle.

BRANDEN WILLIAMS FOUNDER & PRESIDENT, WILLIAMS & WILLIAMS ESTATES

In golf, they call it “local knowledge,” but it works in real estate, too. It’s that incredible confidence that comes with knowing the terrain. Just ask Branden Williams. Having grown up in Beverly Hills, he knows the people, the places, the neighborhoods, the school districts and especially the dwellings. As the head of the Williams & Williams firm (partnered with his wife, Rayni Romito Williams), Branden has parlayed that insight into over $3.5 billion in real estate transactions in his career, with emphasis on the Westside. Obviously it pays to know what’s going on in your own backyard.

WHO DO YOU ADMIRE THE MOST? Martin Luther King, because we all have dreams for peace and equality. I pray for that day.

HOW DO YOU DEFINE SUCCESS?By having inner peace

WHAT DOES L.A. MEAN TO YOU? L.A. means everything to me. It’s my hometown and the “City of Angels.” The opportunities are endless in Los Angeles and more dreams have come true in L.A. than in any other city in the world.

YOUR LIFE IN THREE WORDS: Keep pushing forward.

WHAT IS YOUR GUILTY PLEASURE? Driving on Mulholland after midnight in my Italian sports car.